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Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Interview with author Alan J. Field

The Chemist

1. What really
inspired you to write your book, to force you from taking an idea or experience
and conveying it into a book? One particular quote by Shalom Alechem stuck
with me in which he lamented that “all scientists do is sell their ideas to
murderers”. I had--what I thought--was this compelling idea for a story
percolating inside my head for more than a couple of years prior to ever
putting pen to paper. I’m a big fan of nostalgic spy shows and movies from the
1960s, so I wanted to bring some elements of those into my story. Enter the The
Song of Ice and Fire series that showed me how to write from multiple POVs,
which was the way I wanted to tell this story. However, it was my teen aged
daughter who ultimately encouraged me to dive head first into it. It happened
right after Christmas day in 2013, when I told her about my plot idea which she
adored.

2. What is it
about and whom do you believe is your targeted reader? The protagonist, a former Delta Force veteran and CIA
operative, takes on a mission to extract a chemical compound of this world’s
next deadly toxin from the frazzled heroin addicted head of a young female
chemist. As the mission progresses, presumed allies become enemies and vice
versa. He must reconcile his thirst for redemption with the mission’s success.
The story appeals to anyone over 25 who appreciates strong female characters
and nonstop action.

3. What do you
hope will be the everlasting thoughts for readers who finish your book? What
should remain with them long after putting it down? They will understand the
psyche of one scientist charged with creating a weapon of mass destruction and
how it ultimately destroys her. The ongoing saga, whose next venue is
Syria, can be used as a rallying cry to continue the fight to ban chemical weapons.

4. What advice or
words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers? Never let go of your
dreams. Instead, use them to propel you forward in life.

5. What trends in
the book world do you see and where do you think the book publishing industry
is heading? I see more successful self-publishing platforms; diminished
author reliance on traditional publishers. Authors will be consumed with
“making a connection” with their readers, while writing less or writing much
shorter works.

6. What great
challenges did you have in writing your book? First, it was achieving an
acceptable level of authenticity through extensive research and interviews.
Then, it was finding an editor who knew what they were doing.

7. If people can
only buy one book this month, why should it be yours? The story uniquely
combines New York City glamour with terrorism. Not only does it take on the
making of chemical weapons head-on, the gender bending nature of The Chemist
seamlessly combines the thriller subgenres of espionage, military, psychological
and urban, like no other.

Alan
practiced as a lawyer in New York for more than 20 years in the entertainment
and high technology space. Three years ago, he knew it was time to step back
and write what he liked reading: gripping international thrillers that focus on
relevant geopolitical issues of the day. Over the years he published legal
articles, but The Chemist is his debut novel and he has enjoyed the
experience. He grew up in Moorestown, New Jersey, a suburb of Philadelphia, and
graduated with a music degree from James Madison University in Virginia. He
lives with his wife and four children in Demarest, New Jersey, a stone’s throw
from the George Washington Bridge. He is working hard on the sequel that will
focus on the Syrian conflict. For more info, please see: www.alanjfieldbooks.com

About Me

Brian Feinblum, the creator and author of BookMarketingBuzzBlog, is the chief marketing officer for the nation's largest book promotions firm, Media Connect (www.Media-Connect.com), formerly Planned Television Arts, and has been involved in book publicity and marketing since 1989. He has served several book publishing companies as a publicist, book editor, and acquisitions editor. Brian, who earned a BA in English from Brooklyn College, became a published author in 1995 when he penned The Florida Homeowner, Condo and Co-Op Handbook. He resides in Westchester, New York with his wife, two young children, and an English Bulldog.